Particle.news
Download on the App Store

NBA Fines Joel Embiid $50,000 for WWE-Style Gesture as 76ers Star Fires Back

Embiid challenges the punishment by pointing to referees’ animated blocking‑foul signals.

Overview

  • League executive James Jones announced the fine for a lewd gesture after Embiid performed a D‑Generation X crotch chop with 7:08 left in the first quarter of Philadelphia’s 109‑108 loss to Boston on Oct. 31 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
  • Embiid responded on X, saying, “Yall better start fining the refs for doing the ‘Lewd’, ‘blocking foul’ gesture,” and posted a GIF of an official making an emphatic blocking call, fueling discussion about uneven enforcement.
  • This is at least the fourth time he has been fined for the DX celebration, with reported cumulative penalties around $185,000 following fines in 2023 and December 2024.
  • He was not penalized during the game for the gesture and is currently playing under a minutes restriction as he returns from knee procedures, averaging roughly 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists early in the season.
  • Philadelphia listed Embiid out for the next game against the Nets for injury management, and there has been no additional discipline announced beyond the fine.